Ironing machine for jackets of lithograph rollers



June 19, 1956 IRONING MACHINE FOR JACKETS OF LITHOGRAPH R'OLLERS Filed July l2, 1952 JY. T. LINDQUIST 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 1956 J. T. I JNDQUlsT 2,750,6894

RONING MACHINE FOR JACKETS OF' LITHOGRAPH ROLLERS Filed July l2, 1952 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 K Mezza/af c/bzzai Teaafofe /naya/f/ United States Patent O IRONING MACHINE FOR JACKETS OF LITHOGRAPH ROLLERS Jonas Theodore Lindquist, Skokie, Ill., assignor to -Roberts & Porter, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 12, 1952, Serial No. 298,602

6 Claims. (Cl. Sti-52) v 'Ihis invention relates to improvements in ironing machines. The ironing machine embodying the present invention is especially adapted for, but not limited to, ironing the sewed seam portion of relatively thick fabric materials, such as are formed in tubular sleeves utilized as jackets for moistening rollers of lithograph printing machines.

As is well known, dampening rollers for lithograph machines are in the general range of 11/2 inches to 51/2 inches in diameter, and vary in length from approximately 101/2 inches to 88 inches. Such rollers usually include a central core or shaft of metal, surrounded by a body of resilient material, such as rubber, and the latter being covered by one or more layers of suitable resilient fabric material around which an outer jacket or covering of liquid absorbent material is mounted. It is highly desirable to employ an outer jacket or covering of the material which possesses relatively high liquid absorbing characteristics. One of these fabric materials, which has been extensively used, is known as molleton, the thickness of which is usually in excess of 1A; inch and which, in general, has been found highly satisfactory for effecting-proper and uniform distribution vof liquid over the plate or in transmission to other rollers of the lithograph machine. To save time and for economy, such molleton jackets preferably are pre-formed and are in the nature of tubes. In order to obtain a most satisfactory construction, it is preferred that the rectangular piece of molleton material, in the process of forming as a tube, be sewed with the two free marginal edges disposed in lapped relation to each other, thus forming a seam. rl`he seam portion of the tubular jacket, or sleeve, by necessity is somewhat thicker than the normal thickness of material, and when such a sleeve is mounted on a lithographroller, would result in a slightly non-circular eX- ternal contour, and which, under certain conditions, would result ,in non-uniform distribution of liquid vin operatingthe lithograph machine.

. -One of theobjects of the present invention is to provide av novel ironing machine which is especially adapted for ironing the seam formed incident to sewing together two free marginal edges of relatively thick fabric material.

. Another object is to provide a novel ironing machine which is constructed and arranged for pressing the seam portion of pre-formed tubular sleeves of relatively thick fabric material so that said seam portion approximates the normal thickness of the material.

A further object is to provide a novel ironing machine of the character indicated for pressing and compacting material at the seam portion of pre-formed tubular sleeves made. of relatively thick fabric material, wherein the seams are formed by stitching together a pair of opposite marginal edgesY of .the material disposed Vin lapped .relation.

sizes'of pre-formed tubular sleeves of relatively thickv Still another object' is to provide a novel` ironing,-

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2 fabric material, for different size rollers of lithograph printing machines.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the ironing machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view, part in section, taken substantially as indicated at line 2 2 on Figure l.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the head of the machine taken as indicated at line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing the head in operating position, in process of ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric material.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of a preformed tubular sleeve of fabric material prior to being ironed.

Figure 6 is a sectional View, taken at line 6 6 on Figure 4, showing a tubular sleeve in process of being ironed. l

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view of a sleeve, turned inside out, in finished, ironed condition.

Referring now to the drawings, the ironing machine, embodying the present invention, is provided with a frame, indicated generally at 10, comprising a pair of spaced-apart upright members 11, at each end, to the upper ends of which members is welded an inverted channel member 12. Each pair of members 11, are rigidly connected, adjacent their lower ends, by angle bar members 14. The lower portions of each pair of upright members are further stabilized and braced by a pair of longitudinally extending members 15.

Mounted on the rear end of the channel member 12y tion of the rear end of the arbor provides adequate strength and rigidity for the free and unsupported end of the arbor inprocess of ironing, as will hereinafter be described.

Mounted on the forward portion of the frame is an ironing head, indicated generally at 25, comprising a pair of spaced-apart supporting arms 26, the lower ends of which are pivotally mounted on the outer ends of a shaft 2K4, journaled 'in the down-turned flanges of the channel member 12. The upper ends of the arms 25 terminate in horizontally extending portions, which are rigidly interconnected by a shelf member 27, on which is lixedly mounted an electrically driven motor 28, directly connected to a speed reducer 29. Operatively connected to the speed reducer is a driving sprocket 30 which, through the medium of a chain 31,- drives a sprocket 32, xedly mounted on the outer end of ahorizontally extending head shaft 33, which is journaled in bearings 34,4

secured to the underside of the shelf member 27. -Fixedly mounted on the shaft 33, substantially at the longitu-H dinal center of the machine, is a pressing or ironing roller 36, the periphery of which (as may be seen in Figure 6 of the drawingsyis of arcuate convex contour and, as shown, is preferably knurled.

v Adjacent the outer free end of the arbor20, said arborv is provided with avertical slot 38, in which ispositionedN a cooperating pressing or ironing roller 39, journaled on a pin 40, drive iitted in the arbor, as seen in Figure 6 The periphery of the roller 39 is ofof the drawings.

3 arcuate concave contour of approximately the same radius as the peripheral contour ofthe ironing roller 36.

To effectively carry out the ironing or pressing operation, .the fabric .being ironed is subjected to the action of steam immediately prior to ironing. For this purpose I provide a tube 43, xedly secured on the 'shelf 27 of the head, .the forward end of said tube 43 being bent downwardly and reversely so that its open end terminates in close proximity to the periphery of the ironing roller 36, for discharging steam onto the fabric, immediately prior to the fabric passing between the ironing rollers 36 and 39, as seen in Figure 4 Vof the drawings. The opposite end of the ysteam supply tube 43 is connected by a section of flexible hose 44, which in turn isl connected to a pipe 4S, the latter being connected to piping 46 to a convenient source of steam supply. A steam trap 47 is connected into the piping i5-46, in a usual manner as shown. Connected in the upper portion of pipe 43, is a manually operated valve 48 and a mechanically operated valve 49, the latter, when the machine is not operating, is in a closed position, as hereinafter described,

Pivotally connected at 51 to the horizontally extending portion of one of the side arms 26 of the head is a downwardly extending rod 52, having a turn buckle 53 interposed in said rod. The lower end of said rod is pivotally connected at 54 to a forwardly extending arm 55, the rear end of which is Welded to a tubular sleeve 56, mounted on a rod 57, which is rigidly secured in a pair of blocks 5S, secured to the forward lower portion of each of the front frame members 11. Welded to the sleeve S6 is a forwardly extending treadle bar 60, the outer end of which is provided with a foot rest 6l. Welded to the sleeve S6, substantially centrally of the length thereof (as seen in Figure 2 of the drawings) is a rearwardly extending member 63, on the rearward portion of which is adjustably mounted a counter weight 64. The extreme rear end of the member 63 is guided in its vertical movement by a pair of upright members 65, secured to a cross bar member 66, which in turn is secured to the tie bar members of the frame.

Connected to the arm `5S, is an upwardly extending chain 63, the upper end of which is connected to a lever 69, which is pivotally mounted at 70 on a bracket 71, carried by the mechanically operated valve 49. A coil spring 72 is connected to the rear end of the lever 69 and to the pipe 45 for normally maintaining the valve 49 in closed position and for returning the operating lever 69 to inoperative position.

In operating the machine, hand valve 48 is first opened, and when foot pressure is exerted on the foot treadle 6tl- 61, the treadle member 60 is swung downwardly about the axis of the rod 57 and through the medium of the rod 52, the head is swung about the pivot shaft 24, shifting the ironing roller 36 from the posi-tion seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, to the positionV seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, into cooperative relationship with the roller 39 carried by the arbor 2t). Prior to such movement of the head through the action of the foot treadle 6t- 6L the tubular fabric sleeve to be ironed, as indicated at 75, is first telescoped over the free end of the arbor, and as the head moves downwardly incident to actuation of the foot treadle, the sleeve is embraced between the .rollers 36 and 39. It is to be understood that normal-ly inv performing such an operation, the motor 28 is operating and the' ironing roller 36 is caused to rotatev so that the knurled outer surface thereof functions as a positive feed, whereby said rollers perform a pressing or ironing operation on the tubular sleeve 75,- while at the same time said sleeve is fed longitudinally along the' arb'or 2i). Co'- incident with the movement of the head 25 into an operating position, by the actuation of theV treadle, the arm 55. causes movement of the chain 63 and' lever 69 to open theV valver 49 for supplying steam to theA fabric sleeve at the zone immediately prior to pressure engagement between the cooperating rollers 36 and 39. When the foot treadle is released, the counterweight 64, carriedl on" the rod 63, returns the foot treadle linkage and the head to inoperative position, as -seen in Figure l of the drawings, and simultaneously therewith the spring 72 actuates the lever 69 to a position for closing the valve 49.

in order that the machine may be utilized so as to function automatically, once it is placed in operation, a suitable latchiug device is employed to automatically lock the head 2S in operative position after it has been moved to such position by the action of the foot treadle 61. Pivotaily connected at 76, to the arm 55, adjacent the f orward end, is an upstanding bar 77 adapted, when withdrawn in a downward direction by the action ofthe foot treadle 61, to be engaged by a latch member 78, which is rigidly attached to the outer end of a horizontally extending shaft 79, journaled in the depending flanges of the frame member i2. Said latch is formed and positioned to en age the upper end of the bar 77 so as to lock said bar in its downward position of adjustment, and thereby lo'ck the head 25 in its operating position of adjustment, as seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, during which time the mechanically actuated valve 49 is likewise locked in open position for supplying steam in a manner above described. When the fabric -sleeve 75 is completely ironed, or in the event that it is desired to interrupt the ironing operation at any time, a hand lever Sti, connected to the opposite end of shaft 79, is moved clockwise, with respect to the position seen in Figure l, until the latch 78 disengages the bar 77, at which time the counterweight 64 'causes the head 25 and associated linkage to' return to inoperative position, and at which time the steam valve 49 is again closed.

The fabric sleeve 75, as above referred to, is formed as relatively thick material, such as molleton, which is in the general range of 1A; inch thick. In pre-forming such sleeves, a rectangular piece of such material iS employed and a pair of marginal edges are' disposed in lapped relation to each other, as seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, and such lapped portions are stitched, as indicated at 75a, as close as practical to the free edges of the material. By virtue of such stitching to form a tubular sleeve, the extreme edge portions, beyond the stitching, project a short distance beyond the normal outer surface of the formed sleeve, as may be seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, which results in a thickness in the zone of the seam, substantially in excess of the normal thickness o'f the material. A sleeve thus formed is first placed on the end of the arbor 20 with the seam registering for engagement between the pair of cooperating rollers 36 and 39,l and when the ironer is operated in the manner above described, the pressure between the rollers, together with the employment of steam, results in compactirig the mate-` rial in the general zone' of the seam, so that the thickness in the seam area is substantially the same as the normal thickness of the material forming the sleeve. After the seain has been ironed between the rollers 36 and 39, as seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, the sleeve is removed from the arbor and turned inside out, as seen in Figure 7 of the drawings, thereby resulting in a pre-formed tubular sleeve of fabric material of substantially uniform thickness throughout. Such a form of sleeve, formed o`f molleton or other thick fabric, thus eliminates all of the defects above referred to.

It will be apparent that by virtue of the machine above described (after the tubular sleeve is placed on the arbor with the seamarea in registration with the rollers 36 and 39', and said rollers'` engage one end of the seancd area of the sleeve), when said machine is actuated it func"-v tions automatically to complete ironing of the full length of the seam area of the sleeve, leaving the' hands of the operator entirely free for proper guidance of the sleeve as it is bein-g'- ironedA and fed longitudinally along the arts-or.

While I have herein shown and described; a preferred embodiment'- of my invention, manifestly it is' capable or modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as l may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A machine for ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric material, comprising a frame, a horizontally extending arbor carried on the frame and having one end free and unsupported, a head pivotally mounted on the frame and having a rotatable ironing member, said head being movable to position said ironing member in cooperating relation to the free end of the arbor for engaging a fabric sleeve when disposed on said arbor, means for driving said rotatable ironing member, whereby when said member engages a sleeve supported on the arbor said sleeve is caused to be fed longitudinally along said arbor, a foot treadle movably mounted on the frame, linkage interconnecting said head and treadle, whereby pressure on the treadle causes movement of the head to position said ironing member in cooperating relation to the arbor, and a counterweight for acting on treadle, linkage and head for returning said head to inoperative position upon release of pressure on said treadle.

2. A machine for ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric material, comprising a frame, a horizontally extending arbor carried on the frame and having one end free and unsupported, a head pivotally mounted on the frame and having a rotatable ironing member, said head being movable to position said ironing member in cooperating relation to the free end of the arbor for engaging a fabric sleeve when disposed on said arbor, means for driving said rotatable ironing member, whereby when said member engages a sleeve supported on the arbor said sleeve is caused to be fed longitudinally along said arbor, a foot treadle movably mounted on the frame, linkage interconnecting said head and treadle, whereby pressure on the treadle causes movement of the head to position said ironing member in cooperating relation to the arbor, and latch means for automatically locking said head in operative position.

3. A machine for ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric comprising a frame, a horizontally extending arbor carried on the frame and having a free end disposed in fixed position relative to said frame, a first rotatable ironing member journaled on the free end of said arbor, a head carried on the frame and having a second rotatable ironing member disposed above the free end of said arbor in normally spaced relation thereto and being downwardly movable toward said free end of the arbor to a position of cooperating peripheral relation with said first Irotatable member for engaging a fabric sleeve therebetween when disposed on the arbor, and means operatively associated with said machine to rotate said second ironing member, whereby when said ironing members engage a sleeve therebetween when supported on the arbor said sleeve is caused to be fed longitudinally along said arbor, the sleeve-engaging periphery of said first rotatable member being arcuately concave in cross section, and the sleeve-engaging periphery of said second rotatable ironing member being of convex contour in cross section.

4. A machine for ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric comprising a frame, a horizontally extending arbor carried on the frame and having a free end disposed in fixed position relative to said frame, a first rotatable ironing member journaled on the free end of said arbor, a head carried on the frame and having a second rotatable ironing member disposed above the free end of said arbor in normally spaced relation thereto and being downwardly movable toward said free end of the arbor to a position of cooperating peripheral relation with said first rotatable member for engaging a fabric sleeve therebetween when disposed on the arbor, and means operatively associated with said machine to 4rotate said second ironing member, whereby when said ironing members engage a sleeve therebetween when supported on the arbor said sleeve is caused to be fed longitudinally along said arbor, the sleeve-engaging periphery of said first rotatable member being arcuately concave in cross section, and the sleeve-engaging periphery of said second rotatable ironing member being knurled and of convex contour in cross section.

5. A machine for ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric comprising a frame, a horizontally extending arbor carried on the frame and having a free end disposed in fixed position relative to said frame, a first rotatable ironing member journaled on the free end of said arbor, a head carried on the frame and having a second rotatable ironing member disposed above the free end of said arbor in normally spaced relation thereto and being downwardly movable toward said free end of the arbor to a position of cooperating peripheral relation with said first rotatable member for engaging a fabric sleeve therebetween when disposed on the arbor, means operatively associated with said machine to rotate said second ironing member, whereby when said ironing members engage a sleeve therebetween when supported on the arbor said sleeve is caused to be fed longitudinally along said arbor, and steam supply means mounted on said machine and adapted to direct a supply of steam between said rotatable ironing members, said steam supply means positioned so as to direct its entire discharge flow immediately prior to the point between said rotatable members where engagement with a sleeve when disposed on said arbor is eiected.

6. A machine for ironing a tubular sleeve of fabric comprising a frame, a horizontally extending arbor carried on the frame and having a free end disposed in fixed position relative to said frame, a first rotatable ironing member journaled on the free end of said arbor, a head carried on the frame and having a second rotatable ironing member disposed above the free end of said arbor in normally spaced relation thereto and being downwardly movable toward said free end of the arbor to a position of cooperating peripheral relation with said first rotatable member for engaging a fabric sleeve therebetween when disposed on the arbor, means operatively associated with said machine to rotate said second ironing member, whereby when said ironing members engage a sleeve therebetween when supported on the arbor said sleeve is caused to be fed longitudinally along said arbor, the sleeve-engaging periphery of said first rotatable member being arcuately concave in cross section, and the sleeve-engaging periphery of said second rotatable ironing member being of convex contour in cross section, and steam supply means mounted on said machine and adapted to direct a supply of steam between said rotatable ironing members, said steam supply means positioned so as to direct its entire discharge ow immediately prior to the point between said rotatable members where engagement with a sleeve when disposed on said arbor is effected.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 541,567 McGowan June 25, 1895 1,551,581 Rissman Sept. l, 1925 1,955,664 Weisner Apr. 17, 1934 

